Sun Sep 08 12:52:17 UTC 2024: ## India Willing to Work With Like-Minded Partners on Specific Agenda: Jaishankar
**New Delhi, September 7:** India is open to collaborating with like-minded partners on specific agendas, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on Saturday. The minister, addressing the FPCI Global Town Hall virtually, highlighted India’s role in the Quad as an example of such an approach.
Jaishankar acknowledged the world’s increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, marked by a heightened competition between the US and China across various domains. He asserted that India remains committed to ensuring global stability and contributing to prosperity, even as the world navigates these challenges.
The minister further observed that several big powers are content with reduced engagement on the global stage, while emerging nations are hesitant to take on greater responsibilities. This dynamic, he said, often necessitates regional players to manage their own conflicts.
In response to this evolving global landscape, Jaishankar outlined a five-point strategy for India:
1. **Strengthening National Capacities:** India will continue bolstering its internal capabilities to offer solutions and contributions beneficial to the world, as demonstrated by its vaccine production capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. **De-risking the Global Economy:** India will focus on building resilient, reliable, and redundant supply chains to mitigate risks posed by pandemics, climate events, and conflicts.
3. **Promoting Efficient Global Partnerships:** India will work to create an environment conducive to global partnerships, facilitating business and investment. Its recent infrastructure initiatives are expected to play a significant role in this regard.
4. **Trusted Digital Partnerships:** India will prioritize establishing trusted partnerships and vendors in the digital domain, ensuring the security and privacy of its data even when it crosses borders.
5. **Sharing Expertise and Experiences:** India will actively share its achievements and experiences in the Global South, particularly in areas like digital public infrastructure.
Jaishankar emphasized the need for reformed multilateralism and expressed India’s willingness to collaborate with like-minded partners on specific agendas. He cited the Quad, comprising India, the US, Australia, and Japan, as a prime example of this approach. The Quad aims to ensure a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region amidst China’s growing influence.
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